Game overview:
Another week of ‘the Patriots 1st-team vs. the other team barely fielding a team...’
And then, within that, it was another week of ‘Patriots 1st-team doesn’t really look great vs. the weakened opponent.’
I rushed to do this report because Jacoby Brissett started the game and got sacked on the first series and landed on his shoulder awkwardly...he still stayed in the game and threw a nice deep ball pass (that the WR dropped) but then came out of the game after that 1st-series for his own precaution...then we got an extended look on Drake Maye...then a lot of Joe Milton. So, we got a good amount of time with the rookie QBs to scout in this game.
My main takeaway, from a team overview side, from watching this contest – the Commanders backups were playing like this was a playoff game. Great energy and they were effective, on both sides of the ball. Part of them looking so good is credited to their motivations and skills, but some of it was also – the Patriots are not good, so it’s a warped barometer. That Patriots O-Line...wow...not good.
Scouting Notes from the game:
-- So, we got Drake Maye (13-20 for 126 yards, 1 TD/0 INT, 3-17-0) in the game for almost two quarters and for 20 official throws. So, what did I think?
Not terrible...but lots of flaws...but it’s still early for him, so it’s not condemning him forever – but my mind is still made up on him...because the issues with him that were there in college and in OTAs/camp, are showing in preseason games.
The positives: Maye does not look too flustered. He came in and didn’t look like he was frantic or having a meltdown, like we saw with Joe Milton later in this game.
The negatives: On most every drop back, wherever he was looking as he backpedaled – that’s where he was throwing it. Marginal arm strength when he could step into throws without pressure, but below average arm whip when things weren’t totally clean. Floated too many passes into trouble – because he was determined to throw it in a direction before the snap. Most of his completions were typical/safe throws...there were no ‘wow’ throws or moments with Maye, and I think there is never going to be those types of throws...that’s his downfall. He is who I said he was pre-Draft, Daniel Jones-ish...without the running skills of Jones.
I’m not impressed with what I’ve seen from Maye, so far, considering how highly lauded/drafted he is/was. The scouting is not ‘over’ for me yet. I can just see – he’s not ready. He looks like an NFL backup talent...and that’s not good from someone that’s expected to be a franchise QB.
-- Just a quick note here on the Commanders defense...they were swarming and effective. The 2nd/3rd-team defense of Washington was just flat-out better than New England’s 1st-team offense. It made me think of the upgrade they are in, potentially, with the switch to Dan Quinn as the head coach...and what Quinn was able to do with Dallas’s defense the past few years.
If the 1st-team defense can look as good in reality as the 2nd+ team looked here, then Washington is a serious threat to win the weakened NFC East in 2024.
-- NE rookie QB Joe Milton (5-17 for 78 yards, 0 TD/0 INT) got out a shovel and started digging his career grave here. Everyone that was so gung ho about Milton being better than Maye, etc., from a few weeks ago -- was doing the typical NFL analysis mistake of scouting things based on 7-on-7s and 11-on-11 noncontact work, and that is such a head fake. Most analysts scout QBs based on arm strength in shorts and t-shirt drills primarily.
The fact of the matter is – Joe Milton is a terrible QB prospect. He needs years of work to have any shot in the NFL...and I don’t think he can be fixed. He is what he is. For FF...he’s all but dead.
-- Jeff Driskel (12-18 for 73 yards, 0 TD/1 INT, 1-3-0) looked solid here...better than Marcus Mariota by a mile. I mention this because...
As Cris Collinsworth was having Drake Maye orgasms on any basic throw...in the same game Driskel was working across from Maye, and Driskel has a much better arm, much better foot speed, and just generally looked better than Maye...and they’re about the same size. Where’s the excitement for Driskel?
Football analysis and scouting is emotional...even from the PFF pusher (Collinsworth). That’s why I don’t trust PFF...the ‘emotions’ flow down the chain of ‘analysts’. They/PFF probably will grade Maye as having a great game here, but there were so many things of concern, but if you ‘believe’ (religiously) in Maye, then the things he does ‘look’ great with Maye-colored-glasses on. PFF grades on this game are not out yet.
I’m not pushing Driskel for FF or anything...just saying, there was a compare and contrast to Maye working in this game at the same time – why was Maye so delightful, when he isn’t even as good as Jeff Driskel 2024?
-- Patriots WR report...
The Pats QBs are very bland/mediocre, and thus all these rookie WRs look the same...and they are saddled with the blandness, even if they are great WR prospects (which is highly debatable).
I haven’t seen anything from Ja’Lynn Polk (2-33-0/3) or Javon Baker (2-33-0/7) that would make me want in on them for FF...stuck with this QB room and coaching staff.
-- Commanders RB report...
Jeremy McNichols (5-23-0) was the starter/#3 RB again. I assume he will make the team as the #3. He’s run that way all preseason, He’s OK.
Chris Rodriguez (1-1-0, 4-39-0/5) came in the game after McNichols for the first time this preseason. Usually, it’s rookie Michael Wiley (7-26-1, 2-1-0/2) running as the #4 with Rodriguez the #5. They may have been showcasing Rodriquez for a trade here? If they cut him to try and put him on the practice squad...he’s not going to accept a deal to go back...he’ll go to any other team (I think to TB, as a guess).
Wiley was OK here, but I think Rodriguez is better...even though Wiley has had better preseason moments. Rodriguez pulled ahead here this week, to me. Not sure that it matters though. Wiley is the new regime’s guy and Rodriguez is the old regime’s guy.
-- Commanders receiver report...
I just want to mention...Martavis Bryant (3-20-1/3) popped up from the grave and had a few catches and a TD this game. I assume Quinn knew of Bryant’s work last year with Dallas’s practice squad, and must have liked what he saw. I don’t see any signs of the old Martavis, but he’s an experience hand WR if Washington needs it for depth, I guess.
-- IDP Report
I wanted to point out Washington 2nd-year, 5th-round pick, DE K.J. Henry (1 tackles, 1.0 sacks) from this game. I wasn’t really looking for Henry, but he was so much of a menace in this game that he forced me to notice him.
Henry is listed as a 2nd-team DE...but he’s behind sketchy Clelin Ferrell on the depth chart – maybe Henry is going to play his way into that starting spot this year...maybe? It’s there for the taking.
-- Kicker report
Joey Slye (0/2) may have blown the big NE kicker competition with his misses here. Chad Ryland (1/1 FG, 1/1 XP) may win the job by attrition.
Wahsington traded for Cleveland’s big-legged kicker Cade York (2/2 FG, 2/2 XP) last week and he responded with a nice debut showing here.
